Wall Drug is
probably the place that started the phrase "Tourist Trap". It
started as a small drug store where a man wanted to promote his
business. The little towns in South Dakota are far apart.
You can drive for a very long time before finding civilization, so his
place was a stop; but some people missed it, so he decided to start
advertising with a billboard, offering free ice water. Lots of
people stopped and so he continued advertising. You will see many,
many (seems like a couple hundred!) billboards advertising his place for
many miles..... but then the drug store grew and now it's a mall of
sorts, but not any regular mall. When we went, it was a super
large knick knack store, where you can buy "touristy" things like key
chains, T-shirts, spoons, ash trays, plates and that sort of stuff.
It's had a number of western themed figures in it (you know, like the
Cigar Store Indian). It's free and I don't know if you can get
free ice water, but there is a place to buy snacks and drinks as well as
a full-fledged restaurant. Restrooms available too. Did you
know, they give away free Wall Drug signs? Just ask!